1942 experimental cents

Last updated
Cent
United States
Value$0.01 U.S. dollars
Diameter19.05 mm
EdgePlain
Years of minting1942
Obverse
1942 One Cent Pattern, Judd-2063 (obv).jpg
DesignBust from the Colombian 2 centavo coin
DesignerUnknown
Design dateUnknown (original), 1942 (modified)
1942 Aluminum cent pattern obverse.jpg
Design Abraham Lincoln
Designer Victor D. Brenner
Design date1909
Reverse
1942 One Cent Pattern, Judd-2063 (rev).jpg
DesignWreath
DesignerUnknown
Design dateUnknown
1942 Aluminum cent pattern reverse.jpg
DesignWheat heads
DesignerVictor D. Brenner
Design date1909

The 1942 experimental cents were pattern coins struck by the United States Mint to test alternative compositions for the penny.

Contents

History

After the outbreak of World War II, the demand for copper rose as it was used in ammunition and other military equipment. The US Mint researched ways to reduce or eliminate the usage of copper in cent production. The mint struck pattern coins in various metals, using the obverse design of the Colombian two centavo coin. [1] Dies were sent to various companies to test possible non-metal compositions. Patterns were also struck with modified rim Lincoln cent dies. [2]

One of the compositions tested, zinc-coated steel, was chosen for the 1943 cent. [3]

Compositions

Colombian patterns

CompositionCatalog numberProduced byNotes
Bronze J2051/P2073 United States Mint
Brass J2052United States Mint
Zinc J2053United States Mint
Zinc-coated steel J2054/P2074United States MintThis composition was chosen for the 1943 cent
Manganese J2055/P2075United States Mint
White metal J2056United States Mint
Aluminum J2057/P2076United States Mint
Lead J2058United States Mint
Bakelite J2067/P4001Bakelite Corporation
Transparent amber plasticJ2065/P4005Unknown
Hard rubberJ2068/P4010Unknown
Lead grey plasticJ2061/P4015Unknown
Fibrous black plasticJ2059/P4020Unknown
Light tan plasticJ2063/P4025Unknown
Dark tan plasticJ2063/P4030Unknown
Brown plasticJ2060/P4035Unknown
J2070 Auburn Button Works Mirrored image, struck from hub dies
Brass-colored plasticJ2064/P4040Unknown
Red-brown plasticJ2062/P4045Unknown Coin alignment
J2062/P4050 Medal alignment
Rust-colored plasticJ2062/P4053Durez Plastics and Chemicals
Red fibrous materialJ2066Unknown
Tempered glass J2069Blue Ridge Glass Company

Lincoln patterns

CompositionCatalog numberProduced byNotes
AluminumJ2079 United States Mint Struck with standard proof dies
Zinc-coated steelJ2080United States MintReported, but not confirmed
White metalJ2081United States MintStruck with modified rim Lincoln cent dies

See also

References

  1. ↑ "J2051/P2073". uspatterns.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  2. ↑ "J2081/P2077". uspatterns.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  3. ↑ "1943 Steel Cent | Lincoln Steel Penny". 8 August 2009. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
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